When making the decision on where to market meat goat kids, a variety of options exist. It is important to keep in mind that the consumer is ultimately the person who will be purchasing the product. In the value chain found in Figure 1, the consumer is at the top of the diagram as they truly drive the system. With no end user, there would be no demand for the product. In the simplified Figure 1 diagram, this is only one example of how a value chain might work. There are different marketing methods depending on individual preferences. Marketing methods for meat goats include: Live auction Direct to processor Direct to the consumer (farm gate, farmers’ market, online, etc.)…
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Bonding Pens for a Doe and Her Kids
In preparation for kidding, setting up bonding pens (also referred to as claiming pens or kidding pens) a few weeks in advance is often a good idea so when does start to kid you are prepared and can focus on kidding and daily chores, instead of building pens. Claiming pens assist the doe in establishing a strong maternal bond with her kid(s).
Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Courses
To help facilitate education and knowledge transfer, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Ontario Sheep Farmers (OSF) offers Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Courses. Each course covers both sheep and goats, providing an overview of each of the sectors and introductory concepts. These courses are designed for individuals who are thinking about starting a sheep and/or goat farm. Each course is a full-day workshop, and the registration fee includes a light lunch, all course materials, and a farm tour. 2020 Date and Locations: April 17th, 2020 – Guelph Ontario. Location T.B.D July 17th, 2020 – Lindsay Ontario. Location T.B.D. September 18th, 2020 – Guelph Ontario. Location T.B.D For more information or to register, visit the OSF website…
Forage Report – August 2019
Save the date! Forage Focus 2019 will be held December 5th 9:30 am – 3:30 pm EST at the Stratford Rotary Complex. Registration will open soon. Ontario Forage Council is looking for remote location hosts to receive the live stream in northern and eastern Ontario. If interested in hosting, contact Patricia Ellingwood at 1-877-892-8663. The Ontario Hay Listings website is a free classifieds database for producers looking to buy or sell hay and straw. Southwestern According to AAFC, rainfall during August varied widely across the region. The counties on the north shore of Lake Erie, along with Lambton, Middlesex, Oxford, Brant, and Hamilton received 115% – 200% of average precipitation for the month. In these counties, dairy third cut and other second…
Forage Report – July 2019
The Ontario Hay Listings website is a free classifieds database for producers looking to buy or sell hay and straw. Southwestern According to AAFC, the northern tip of the Bruce Peninsula, as well as Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Norfolk, Brant, Haldimand, and Hamilton received average or above-average precipitation for the month of July. The rest of the region experienced below-average amounts of rainfall during the past month. Potato leafhopper has been found at threshold in Niagara. Since this pest is introduced on storm fronts blowing up from the southern U.S., it is usually widespread across large areas. Producers should scout fields every 5-7 days. Scouting information can be found on pages 341 and 342 of OMAFRA Pub. 811: Agronomy Guide…
Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Course
Looking to Start Your Own Sheep or Goat Farm? OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Food and Agriculture) and OSF (Ontario Sheep Farmers) are hosting an introductory course on small ruminant production. This course will introduce potential producers to the wide range of knowledge that is needed to farm small ruminants. Topics covered in the course include: Overview of Both Sheep and Goat Industries Core Production Concepts Selecting Genetics Infrastructure, Handling, & Labour Reproduction/Production Methods Creating a Good Pasture & Combating This course is directed at potential producers who need basic information and the opportunity to tour a farm.. We encourage anyone interested in becoming a part of the industry to attend this course. If you would like to attend please use…
Forage Report – June 2019
The Ontario Hay Listings website is a free classifieds database for producers looking to buy or sell hay and straw. Forage Expo (West) will be held July 9th at Pendora Dairy Ltd., 6447 County Road 164, Monkton (Perth County) from 10am-3pm. For more info see Ontario Forage Council’s website. **DATE CHANGE** Forage Expo (East) will be held July 23rd at Vosbrae Farms, 140 Skyline Road, Oakwood (Kawartha Lakes) from 10am-3pm. For more info see Ontario Forage Council’s website. Southwestern First cut began the first week of June. Reports indicate yields are average or below-average. According to AAFC, areas of Huron, Perth, Wellington, and Waterloo received 60-85% of average precipitation for June. Parts of Bruce, Grey, Essex, Chatham-Kent, Norfolk, Haldimand, and Niagara had 115-150% of average rainfall this…
Changes under the Nutrient Management Act are here!
By Matt Wilson, Nutrient Management Lead, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs As of July 1, 2019, two important changes to the Nutrient Management regulation are in effect under the Nutrient Management Act. They will help farmers reduce regulatory burden in the agriculture sector while continuing to protect the environment. The most far-reaching change removes the automatic expiration of nutrient management strategies every five years. This requirement added burden without improving environmental protection. Nutrient management strategies can now remain in effect until there is a significant change to an operation, placing a greater emphasis on annual reviews. To support this change, OMAFRA is developing tools for producers to help them more easily complete their annual review and keep…
Forage Report – May 2019
The Ontario Hay Listings website is a free classifieds database for producers looking to buy or sell hay and straw. Southwestern Estimates suggest at least 50% of fields have some level of winterkill. Cool conditions have slowed forage growth. First cut of dairy-quality hay usually begins on the Victoria Day weekend; however, less than 295 GDDs have accumulated outside Essex County. Alfalfa reaches early flower stage around 390 GDDs. According to AAFC, Huron, Perth, Wellington, south Grey, Dufferin, and Simcoe counties have experienced average precipitation for May. The rest of the region received above-average precipitation. Alfalfa weevil has been found in some fields. Producers should scout fields twice a week to monitor their development. Scouting information can be found on pages 339…
Establishing Alternative Forage Crops
Reports indicate widespread alfalfa winterkill due to several thaws that reduced snow cover and created ice cover in fields. Producers need to scout their hay fields to assess the damage, then develop a plan to ensure they will have the forage they need. Keep it, patch it, or start over? Plant counts should be done in the spring and fall each year (Table 1). These can be done when the alfalfa is dormant. The spring count is a good time to dig up some plants and assess root health. Stem counts are useful for predicting yield potential, and these should be done when there is 15-20 cm (6-8 in.) of growth (Table 2). If the number of plants or stems…
